Career Center

The Director of Development leads the Alumni and Development Department and works closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to oversee and manage all aspects of Rectory School’s alumni and development programs. The Director of Development must be able to think strategically and practically to implement a comprehensive and results-oriented development plan that includes traditional and innovative strategies. Key components of this plan will include goals, strategies, and timetables for Rectory’s Annual Fund, major and capital gifts, the Campaign for a Century, alumni giving, planned giving, and matching gifts.  This work includes a complementary focus on prospecting and tactics to build key relationships with alumni, current families, and community, and foundation leaders. 

The Director of Development oversees an office of four that includes a Director of Annual Giving and Constituent Engagement, a Development Services and Operations Manager, and an Alumni and Development Assistant. This position reports to the Head of School, serves on the School’s Senior Administrative team, and sits on the Development board committee as well as the Committee on Trustees. 

Responsibilities include the following:

Leadership

• Identify, research, and spearhead the implementation of a diverse and multifaceted fundraising program to support the School’s strategic vision, cultivating a culture of giving across all constituencies and socio-economic strata.
• Collaborate with the admissions office on PR initiatives and the marketing and communications office (or our outside graphic design company) to create friend- and fund- raising-related communication materials to expand and enhance the School’s visibility, reputation, and connection to our many constituencies.

Management

• Oversee special events including Fall and Spring Family Weekends, the Major Donor Dinner, the Distinguished Service and Alumni Awards dinner, Alumni Day, and other on and off campus events.
• Develop, manage, and evaluate the Alumni and Development Office budget.
• Coordinate the activities and evaluate the job performances of the Development Office staff.

Administrative

• Oversee processing of all gift income for the purpose of providing receipts and the maintaining of giving records of donors to the School.

• Maintain the development database and provide development reports as required.

• Serve as staff support for the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees,
• Keep relevant data connected to the Alumni and Development’s strategic efforts and prepare reports for the Head of School and Board of Trustees as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

The position requires an individual whose focus and interest is on the critical boarding school work that take places outside the classroom.  At the same time, the Director is expected to be a firm believer in all that Rectory has to offer its students.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field required; Master’s Degree is preferred.
• At least five years of development experience.
• A demonstrated ability to work within a collaborative management context.
• A passion for independent education as well as the professionalism, energy, and commitment necessary to achieve the responsibilities of this position.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• The ability to communicate clearly in written and oral forms with a diversity of constituents.

About Rectory School

Rectory School was founded in 1920 when the Reverend and Mrs. Frank H. Bigelow sought to create an individualized learning program for their son John. The benchmark program has developed into a distinct advantage of a Rectory education. Rectory has the capacity to meet the educational needs and aspirations of a wide range of students – from strong traditional learners to those who have inquisitive minds but need more academic support. Rectory School’s 138-acre rural campus provides a scenic and secure home to approximately 270 students covering the ages from Pre-K to 9th grade. Rectory is a coeducational institution at all levels. The 5th – 9th grade junior school has approximately 210 students 147 of whom are boarding students. These students come to Rectory from all around the United States and from nine different countries. Average class size is 10 and the student teacher ratio is 4:1.

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